Known as "The Emerald Isle of the Caribbean," Montserrat is the only country outside Ireland where St. Patrick's Day is a public holiday.
The week-long St. Patrick's Festival provides a rich mix of Irish and African heritage, with some traditional Caribbean entertainment, making this one of Montserrat's most popular annual events.
This year, St. Patrick's Week is a little more than that and being celebrated from March 10 to 19.
The activities for the week will centre around the Freedom Run from Cudjoe Head to Salem Park, a nature hike and a junior calypso competition. Montserrat's Irish heritage dates back to the 17th century when the island became a haven for Irish Catholics who were persecuted on other Caribbean islands.
This history is still evident today from the moment visitors arrive at the airport in Montserrat and receive a shamrock-shaped stamp in their passports.
More at at www.visitmontserrat.com/ St_Patricks_Festival or contact the Montserrat Tourist Board on (664)491-2230 or email: info@montserrattourism.ms
